Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings: Evaluating Week 15 Matchups

By Clyde A. Speller

Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings: Evaluating Week 15 Matchups

Chicago Bears-Will Sutton vs Vikings — The Week 15 matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings will be a pivotal one for both teams. The Bears (5-8) could possibly be playing their last game before being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, while the Vikings (8-5) are not only in position to get a Wild Card spot in the NFC, but they are also still in contention to win the NFC North. Let’s see who should benefit more in this week’s game.

Bears’ Pass Offense vs. Vikings’ Pass Defense

Chicago Bears-Alshon Jeffery vs Vikings

Bears’ Pass Offense vs. Vikings’ Pass Defense

Chicago Bears-Alshon Jeffery vs Vikings — Minnesota’s pass defense is ranked eighth in the NFL entering Week 15, but they have surrendered 584 yards passing yards and five touchdowns in the last two games. Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery hauled in 10 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown in their last meeting in Week 8, and he should have another big game in Week 15.

Advantage: Bears

Bears’ Run Offense vs. Vikings’ Run Defense

Chicago Bears-Matt Forte vs Vikings2

Bears’ Run Offense vs. Vikings’ Run Defense

Chicago Bears-Matt Forte vs Vikings2 — The last time these two teams met, Matt Forte was having a productive day until he suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for the rest of the game. With a healthy Forte and a more confident Jeremy Langford splitting time in the backfield, the Bears’ running game should flourish against Minnesota’s 20th ranked run defense.

Advantage: Bears

Vikings’ Pass Offense vs. Bears’ Pass Defense

Chicago Bears-Willie Young vs Vikings

Vikings’ Pass Offense vs. Bears’ Pass Defense

Chicago Bears-Willie Young vs Vikings — Not only could Chicago’s second-ranked pass defense give Minnesota’s aerial attack problems, but their pass rush could also be a nuisance. The Vikings have allowed 38 sacks so far this season (seventh-most in the NFL). Bears pass rushers Lamarr Houston and Willie Young have been on fire lately, combining for 9.5 sacks in the last six games.

Advantage: Bears

Vikings’ Run Offense vs. Bears’ Run Defense

Minnesota Vikings-Adrian Peterson vs Bears

Vikings’ Run Offense vs. Bears’ Run Defense

Minnesota Vikings-Adrian Peterson vs Bears — Adrian Peterson is the league’s leading rusher with 1,251 yards, and Chicago’s 26th ranked run defense is giving up an average of 125.7 yards per game. Peterson has rushed for over 100 yards in the last five meetings against the Bears.

Advantage: Vikings

Special Teams

Minnesota Vikings-Marcus Sherels vs Bears

Special Teams

Minnesota Vikings-Marcus Sherels vs Bears — The Bears’ special teams unit has been consistently bad all season long. Currently, the usually reliable Robbie Gould is in a slump. And in Week 8, Marcus Sherels returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown against this same unit.

Advantage: Vikings

Coaching

Minnesota Vikings-Mike Zimmer

Coaching

Minnesota Vikings-Mike Zimmer — Mike Zimmer has his Vikings on the right track. Despite riding a two-game losing streak, Minnesota is currently in the final Wild Card spot for the playoffs. As for John Fox and his Bears, they have been close in recent games, but he still hasn’t found a way to get his team on the winning side of such tight margins.

Advantage: Vikings

Who Has the Overall Advantage?

Minnesota Vikings-Marcus Sherels and Chad Greenway

Who Has the Overall Advantage?

Minnesota Vikings-Marcus Sherels and Chad Greenway — On paper, it may appear that the Bears would have the overall advantage in this contest. However, I’ve gone by that logic over the past four weeks and was wrong every single time. Therefore, I’m going with the team that has much more to play for in the waning moments of the 2015 NFL season.

Overall Advantage: Vikings

Teams in this article »

Chicago Bears

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Minnesota Vikings

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